Indian Diaspora in the UAE Celebrate India’s 71st Independence Day

The Indian tricolor was hoisted, followed by cultural events to commemorate Indian independence . Wikimedia

Indian’s in UAE celebrate 71st Indian Independence Day with full zeal and enthusiasm

Excerpts from President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the country read at the event

UAE Consulate General Vipul announced plans to celebrate 70 years of Indian independence through 70 different cultural events

UAE, August 15, 2017: Indian diaspora in the UAE on Tuesday celebrated India’s 71st Independence Day with zeal and fervor by hoisting the national flag and organizing cultural events.

Hundreds of expats gathered to watch the unfurling of the national flag by Consulate General Vipul at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai, the Khaleej Times reported.

People in tricolour clothes sang the Indian National Anthem. The top diplomats read out excerpts from Indian President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to the nation on the eve of the Independence Day.

Several cultural programmes showcasing India’s tradition and heritage were held at the Consulate.

In his speech addressing the public at the Consulate, Vipul announced that 70 events would be organised throughout the year to commemorate the 70 years of India’s independence.

Expats Ramdas Rao and his wife Sapna, who run their family business in Dubai, came to the consulate with their two children born and raised in Dubai, the daily said.

“Dubai is a home away from home. You don’t feel you are away from India. But still, this is the day we feel the spirit of India more in our hearts. And this is the day our children who live away from the country can learn more about their motherland and feel connected to their roots,” said Sapna. (IANS)

Smartly turned out contingents of army, paramilitary forces, state police and school children participated in the parade. Pixabay

Peaceful Republic Day celebrations amid heightened security in J&K

Hoisting function and ceremonial parade were held at Maulana Azad Stadium

Mobile phone services were suspended as a precautionary measure

Amid heightened security, the Republic Day celebrations on Friday passed off peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir’s winter and summer capitals.

The main flag hoisting function and ceremonial parade were held at the Maulana Azad stadium in Jammu city where state governor N.N. Vohra unfurled the national flag and took the salute at an impressive parade.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, her cabinet colleagues, Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta, high court judges and senior army police and civil officials were also present at the function.

People from across the social spectrum and school children also participated in country’s 69th Republic Day celebrations.

Cultural programmes by school children was a highlight of this year’s Republic Day celebrations both in Jammu city and different district headquarters of the state. Pixabay

In Srinagar city, the main function was held at the Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium where Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri hoisted the Tricolour and took the salute at the parade.

Extraordinary security arrangements had been made this year for the Republic Day celebrations amid intelligence inputs that a non-local female suicide militant had entered Srinagar.